Everything is Permuted

Tales of a South Downs fox... and other ramblings

Small White Butterfly Courtship

Saturday, September 4, 2010 11:46:03 PM

,

Although this year hasn't matched previous seasons for spectacular butterfly displays, the white butterflies are ever-present. These two caught my attention this afternoon, well one of them did. It was flying vigorously at the edge of a flowering currant shrub. I thought it might be caught in a spider's web, but closer inspection revealed that it had rather more amorous thoughts on its mind. This sequence shows part of the courtship...












Edit: see comments for an explanation of the behaviour shown here.

No sign of the foxes this evening, though one did make the local papers today, relaxing in the gardens at the Royal Pavilion in the middle of town. Nice to see some positive reporting up
Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 40D and EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens.

The Three FoxesA Small Punctuation

Comments

Unregistered user Sunday, September 5, 2010 2:14:44 AM

Anonymous writes: Hi~ I've been enjoying your photos of the foxes~ great photographs! I've observed this behaviour in Cabbage White Butterflies as well, and it intrigued me so I looked into it. By this display, the female is actually trying to "reject" the male's mating efforts. I wrote about a little bit about it on my blog and posted a link with further info about it: http://www.thepaperbutterfly.net/2010/07/my-white-whale-er-butterfly.html Thanks for the glimpses into your daily observations. Your photography is lovely.

Darkogdare Sunday, September 5, 2010 4:56:53 AM

They seem not to mind your disturbing lol

Words, was it one of the foxes from your garden? Completely cool and undisturbed by attention it caught I just hope it will not become too friendly because someone could try to hurt it left

Unregistered user Sunday, September 5, 2010 8:03:37 AM

Crafty Gren Poet writes: lovely series of photos!

Adele BrandSittingFox Sunday, September 5, 2010 8:15:19 AM

Nice sequence! I don't think I've seen a white butterfly (of any species) all year!

That fox seems to know where it is welcome! Although I hope no one attempts to handfeed it.

Words Sunday, September 5, 2010 9:47:57 AM

Originally posted by anonymous:

By this display, the female is actually trying to "reject" the male's mating efforts. I wrote about a little bit about it on my blog and posted a link with further info about it: http://www.thepaperbutterfly.net/2010/07/my-white-whale-er-butterfly.html



Caitlin,

Thanks so much for the full explanation of the behaviour, and the links to further information. That's really appreciated up

Words Sunday, September 5, 2010 9:50:53 AM

Darko, it seems that the female was rejecting the male (see above comments). They flew off together and carried on with the aerial dance.

The fox isn't one of ours. It should be fairly safe in Brighton. This is the 'greenest' city (politically) in the UK!

Words Sunday, September 5, 2010 9:51:27 AM

Thanks Crafty!

Words Sunday, September 5, 2010 9:56:58 AM

Adele, I guess we've been lucky with butterflies... loads of them constantly. We also had a speckled wood yesterday. I suspect somebody probably is hand-feeding the fox, though that's never a good idea. It's located right in the tourist centre of town so there will be rich pickings for it to find.

ERWINWulpen Monday, September 6, 2010 6:12:06 PM

A Lovely set of Pict

Words Monday, September 6, 2010 10:15:20 PM

Thanks Erwin!

CynthiaCynthia23 Tuesday, September 7, 2010 5:15:29 PM

This dance is so pleasing to watch, as is your lovely photography, Words!

Words Wednesday, September 8, 2010 12:04:08 AM

Cynthia, thanks. It was the first time I've seen them stay in one place long enough for more than a grabbed photo. Trying to photograph a pair in flight is a very major struggle!

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